For the current generation of hip-hop fans, the message board is like the new barber shop.

As immortalized in Ice Cube's cinematic franchise, the American barber shop has long served as a source for spirited debate on a wide range of topics&#8212;from sports and politics to local gossip and rap. In this new century, the internet rap forum has emerged to fill a similar role: as the new space where fans of all backgrounds can trade ideas, discuss new releases, and foster a sense of camaraderie around shared tastes.

The exchange of ideas, news and criticism on these message boards has had an undeniable impact on the way we talk about and digest rap music, as fans engage with the music and culture on an immediate level, bouncing ideas off of each other, trading barbs and creating memes. Regardless of your particular tastes and aesthetics, there is a rap board out there for you.